FNH USA FNP-45 Tactical Pistol

With its big bore and its ability to carry accessories, FN's largest pistol may be the model for the duty handgun of the future.

Some members of my test team found the three FNP-45s and the FNP-45 Tactical to be flawlessly reliable. In fact, one friend of mine has put more than 500 rounds through his FNP-45 base model without experiencing any stoppages.

I haven't been quite so lucky with mine. But stoppages have become a thing of the past since I started using some new 15-round magazines from FNH USA. I believe the new mags have solved my reliability issues with this pistol.

And it's really nice having 15 rounds of .45 ACP in a mag. I am not obsessed with carrying a high-capacity pistol. And yes I believe a true professional should be properly trained to stay in the fight as long as necessary by executing as many combat reloads as required. But it certainly does not hurt to have 15 rounds of .45 ACP ammunition at your immediate disposal.

FNP-45s have reportedly been ammunition sensitive, which is why I recommend you test fire every pistol that you intend to carry on or off duty to make sure that it functions with every brand of ammunition. I say this because you never know when circumstances beyond your control will compel you to use a different brand, bullet weight, or type of ammo. The good news is that FN is in the process of redesigning its .45 ACP caliber magazines so they should function more reliably with all brands of ammunition in the future.

If you are restricted to using a DA/SA pistol, the FNP-45 may be the right tool for you. You can carry it without using the slide-mounted safety and carrying cocked and locked. But there is a benefit to carrying the FNP-45 cocked and locked. You can fire the first shot without having to pull the trigger all the way through.

Shots Fired

I shot and evaluated four different FNP-45 pistols, and I found all four to be incredibly accurate and easy to operate.

Once I test fired the FNP-45 Tactical using standard sights, I decided to try it with various compact optics and other accessories. The results made me a believer in optics for combat handguns.

The first round of testing with optics began as I stood in the ready pistol position with a Trijicon RM05 installed on the FNP-45 Tactical with the hammer cocked and locked. When a friend said, "shoot," I flicked off the safety while I raised the pistol as fast as possible and pulled the trigger while I covered the center chest area of the target with the dot. When I repeated this process again I put the second shot directly through the first bullet hole.

I also tested the FNP-45 Tactical with the Streamlight TLR-1 and with the SureFire X300 weapon lights. My first thought was that the combined weight of the light and the optic might affect the pistol's performance. But that wasn't the case. It handled the optic, a light, and a suppressor with no problems.

I believe the day will come when all law enforcement service pistols will be sold as a package deal with a compact tactical light and a compact red dot optic. The installation of red dot optics on duty pistols should make it possible for a law enforcement officer to dramatically increase his or her hit potential and speed during deadly force incidents. Optics would also make it easier for officers who have difficulty qualifying to dramatically improve their accuracy.

The technology is here. All we need now is support from law enforcement management to motivate the firearms industry to start manufacturing more duty pistols that can accommodate optics.

Before I shot the FNP-45 Tactical, I saw no use for optics on a duty pistol. But now that I have seen for myself how accurate and fast I can be with a pistol equipped with a compact red dot optic I have changed my opinion, and I hope that other gun makers will follow FN's lead and develop duty pistols that are optic-ready.

Nick Jacobellis is a medically retired U.S. Customs Agent and former police officer who was physically disabled in the line of duty while working undercover as a federal agent.

Comments (7)

I THINK I COULD GET USED TO THIS HOWEVER FOR ME TO PAY $1400.00 FOR A HAND GUN IT BETTER COME WITH ALL THE ACCESSORIES SHOWN AND MAYBE A MASSAGE WITH A HAPPY ENDING.

John Carp @ 9/22/2011 6:28 PM

From what I have read the entire line of FNP pistols could be fine fighting tools. I have zero personal experiance with them. If my wife didn't think that I own too many pistols, I might purchase the less "tacticool" version of this .45, but can't justify the cost...to include extra magazines and leather. I shall soldier on with my Colt's 1911 and Glock 21SF.

Most respectfully

john

Ralph @ 7/6/2012 11:02 PM

If you're motivated you can grow into any gun. The gun will let you know when you are ready.

Talon @ 9/29/2012 8:08 AM

I have carried the FNP-45 Tactical with a J Point and Insight M3 in civilian and... not so civil settings for a year now and love it. It took a little problem solving to get a good concealed carry for more executive settings but I think it is worth it. On real battlefields it does everything asked- accurate rounds to center of mass with minimum fuss.

kline @ 12/9/2012 5:56 PM

You can purchase it for 1000 to 1100

chad @ 2/8/2014 8:59 PM

I have one and I cant make it thru one clip with out a stoppage. It is a cool range gun but I dont have the trust factor to make it a primary gun.

Don M @ 4/10/2015 4:17 PM

I am experiencing the same problem as Chad .I've been using round ball fmj I ran out & bought some blunt nose ball & one or two rounds & it will stove pipe the next round .I love the pistol but if it is particular about the ammo that's not good.

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